Pence declines again on Bayh seat

House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) is still out.

After saying he was not running for Evan Bayh’s Senate seat a few weeks ago, a top Pence aide said the House’s No. 3 Republican was planning to speak to advisers about the seat after Bayh’s surprising retirement announcement Monday. But Monday afternoon Pence released a statement saying he would stay in the House.

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There were several factors that Pence weighed in his passing on the seat a few weeks ago. He is in a strong position in GOP House leadership and said he believes Republicans have a good chance to regain the majority in 2010. Further, he's considered among the strongest candidates for governor of Indiana in 2012.

Plus, Pence would need to gain thousands signatures by noon tomorrow for the Republican primary.

Privately, aides to Pence say he was also concerned about Bayh's $13 million in the bank, but now Pence is going to hope for a Republican takeover in the House, which could propel him into a top leadership position in that chamber. And then he could still run for governor in 2012.